Exercise Device

ABSTRACT

The present invention sets out a bow shaped portable exercise device having a plurality of interchangeable flexible resistance elements. The device can be utilized to engage several different muscle groups and tissue types, during varying slow stretching and fast force application movements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the field of exercise equipment. Morespecifically, the invention relates to the field of portable lightweightresistance exercise equipment.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the past, exercise devices have been proposed which utilize springlike elements which provide resistance against movement by a user.However, these prior art devices suffered from a number of deficiencies.

Most noticeably, prior art devices exhibited an extremely limitedapplication to the movements of a user, thereby severely limiting themuscle groups and other tissue which were affected by the exercisemovements.

Also, prior art devices which provided a larger selection of exercisemovements at the same time exhibited bulky, non-portable structures.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an exercisedevice which facilitates a wide range of exercise movements.

It is a further object to provide an exercise device which facilitatesmyofascial movements, and plyometric movements.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an exercise devicewhich allows varying levels of force resistance.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an exercise devicewhich is lightweight and easily portable.

These and other objects of the invention are satisfied by the presentinvention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of a flexible bow with interchangeable elasticresistance bands that can individually be added or removed from the bow,allowing the exerciser to adjust for varying degrees of resistance whilethe exerciser performs a variety of strength, stretching and fitnessexercises. Additionally, attachable grip pads are included to providecomfort and secure grip during use.

The invention will allow the exerciser to adjust for varying degrees ofresistance, allowing the exerciser to perform a variety of strength,stretching and fitness resistance exercises in any location, anywhere,anytime. Because of the unique nature and simplicity of the bow design,and the ability to easily attach the elastic resistance bands to thebow, this allows the exerciser to interchange and attach any one of thevarious elastic resistance bands to the bow, thus allowing the exerciserto achieve multiple resistance levels, thus making the product inventionideal for various strength, stretching and fitness resistance exercisesnot previously found in a compact and portable exercise workout system.

The product invention will be manufactured to be sold to throughwholesale, distributor, home shopping channel, direct response,ecommerce and retail brick and mortar distribution channels.

-   -   Resistance Training    -   Includes multiple resistance bands with various resistance        levels for multiple exercise options    -   Easy to use versatile bow design and interchangeable resistance        bands    -   Simply and quickly change resistance bands with easy on &easy        off assembly    -   Adjustable slip-resistant grips provide secure positioning &        comfort for hands or feet    -   For beginner, intermediate, advance use    -   Lightweight, portable & compact    -   Training options include: strength, stability, stretching,        resistance, balance, coordination, myofascial, plyometric and        triathlete

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled exercise apparatus

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the exercise apparatus elastic member, bowmember and grip member(s)

FIG. 3 is a front view of the assembled exercise apparatus

FIG. 4 is a side view of the assembled exercise apparatus

FIG. 5 is a front view of the bow member

FIG. 6 is a side view of the bow member

FIG. 7 is a front view of the elastic member

FIG. 8 is a side view of the elastic member

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the assembled exercise apparatus andinterchangeable individual elastic members with various resistancelevels

FIG. 10 is a front view of muscle groups

FIG. 11 is a back view of muscle groups

FIG. 12 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention

FIG. 13 is a front view of another embodiment of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in FIG. 1, shown therein is a perspective view of theassembled exercise apparatus that shows the interface with the user'sbody consisting of the bow member, the elastic member and the gripmember(s). The drawing illustrates the shape of the preferredembodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, shown therein is an exploded view of theexercise apparatus members. The bow member 1 may be formed from variousmaterials, and in particular may be molded from various compositematerials. The elastic member 2 may be formed from various materials andin particular may be molded or extruded from various natural orsynthetic materials. The grip member(s) 4 may be formed from variousnatural or synthetic materials.

The bow member 1 includes receiving ends on both ends of the bow member1 to receive, attach and secure the elastic member 2 to the bow member1. The elastic member 2 includes an attachment member 3 at each end, tosecure each end of the elastic member to each receiving end of the bowmember 1, allowing the elastic member 2 to be easily attached or removedto the bow member 1. The grip member(s) 4 can be easily added or removedfrom the bow member 1. The grip member(s) 4 provide comfort and securehandling when attached to the bow member 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 9 shown therein is a perspective view of theassembled exercise apparatus and multiple interchangeable, individual,elastic members with various resistance levels, each elastic member canbe easily attached or removed from the bow member.

Following is a chart which describes various muscle groups and how theyare exercised. The present invention is arranged and constructed toallow controlled contraction and expansion of the muscle groupsdescribed in the chart below, and set out in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Major Muscle Functional Exercise to Group Location Role StrengthenSample Stretch Notes Abdominal Stomach Sitting up, Crunches, Youtypically don't The rectus postural leg raises, stretch your abs.abdominus is the alignment twisting For most people, muscle that iscrunches the abs are not visible. The strong enough, so transversus youneed to work abdominus on strengthening muscle, which them rather thanstabilizes your stretching them back is underneath. Biceps Front ofLifting, Bicep Curls Sit on floor. Place Anytime you move upper armpulling hands behind you your hand toward with fingers your shoulder,you pointing away from are using your your body. Walk biceps. your hipsaway from your hands. Deltoids Top of Overhead Push ups, “Scratch yourBack” - The deltoids are shoulder lifting bench Put both hands composedof three press, side over your head. parts, anterior, & rear arm Bendone elbow posterior & raises and place hand on medial. Anytime back.With other you “flap” your hand, push elbow arms, your to stretchtriceps, deltoids are deltoids, lats working. Erector Spinae Low backPostural back “Cat Stretch” - The erector spinae alignment extensionsKneel on all fours, is sometimes round back like a called the “low cat.Sit on chair with back” muscle, feet shoulder although it runs updistance apart. your entire back. Bend over and place shoulders betweenyour knees Gastrocnemius Back of Push off for Standing Lunges with a Thegastrocnemius & Soleus lower leg walking, calf raises, straight back legfor give your legs a standing on seated calf gastrocnemius. roundedshape. tiptoes raises Lunges with bent The soleus is knees for soleus.underneath the gastrocnemius. Gluteus Buttocks Climbing Squat, leg Siton chair, cross Made up of stairs, press other leg over thigh severalmuscles. walking, of bent leg, lean The largest muscle standing upforwards. in the body is the gluteus maximus. Hamstrings Thigh - backWalking Squats, While standing, The hamstrings lunges, leg place heel ofleg to are made up of extensions, be stretched on a three muscles. legcurls chair. Keep your leg Don't squat below as straight as 90 degrees,possible, your hips otherwise you square and your could damage backflat. Bend at your knees. the waist toward your leg. Latissimus Back -Lats Postural Lats - pull “Scratch your Back” - Developed lats Dorsi &are the large alignment, ups, chin Put both hands give your back aRhomboids triangular pulling ups, lat pull over your head. “V” shape,making muscle in open a downs Bend one elbow your waist appear the doorRhomboids - and place hand on smaller. midback. chinups & back. Withother Rhomboids bent arm hand, are between rows To stretch the shoulderrhomboids, “hug blades yourself” Cross your hands in front of you, placeboth hands on your shoulder blades. Obliques Side of body RotationTwisting Lie on your back Strong internal and side crunches, with yourarms and external flexion of rotary torso extended out (“T” obliquemuscles body shape) Bend both ward off back knees. Rotate your pain.hips and put your bent legs on the floor on your side. Pectoralis Frontof Push up push-up, While standing, The pectoralis upper chest fromlying pull-up, hold both arms out muscles pull the position, bench pressat shoulder height, shoulder and arm push open palms forward. Pullforward. a door arms back. Quadriceps Thigh - front Climbing Squats,While lying on side, The quads are stairs, lunges, leg grasp ankle, pushmade up of four walking, presses hips forward muscles. standing upTrapezius Large Moves upright Upper trap stretch. Your upper muscle inhead rows, Sit in a chair, put trapezius connects upper and sideways,shoulder your left hand your head to your mid-back. shrugs behind you.Tilt shoulders. When your head so your you feel “knots in right earmoves your neck”, it's toward your right your trapezius. shoulder.Repeat on the other side. Triceps Back of Pushing Push ups, “Scratchyour Back” - Anytime you upper arm tricep Put both hands extend yourlower extensions, over your head. arm, you are using dips Bend one elbowyour triceps. and place hand on back. With other hand, push elbow tostretch triceps, deltoids, lats

PARTS LIST

1. Bow member

2. Elastic member

3. Attachment member

4. Grip member

5. Bow elastic member receiver

6. Low resistance replacement elastic member

7. Medium low resistance replacement elastic member

8. Medium high resistance replacement elastic member

9. High resistance replacement elastic member

In practice, the present device presents a multitude of variations inthe operation of the device.

Positioning a fixed object between the elastic member 2 and the bowmember 1, such as a vertical post, horizontal post or other attachmentpoint, allows a user to exert force and movement through the gripmember, upon the bow member 1, which force and movement is increasinglyresisted by the stretching elastic member 2. The user may either pullthe bow member 1 away from the fixed object, or push the bow member awayfrom the fixed object, using virtually any and all of the body musclegroups, through the legs, arms, neck, and back, depending on which bodypart is in contact with either the inside surface or outside surface ofthe grip member 4.

Further, the application of force may be slow and stretching, togradually involve muscle groups and related tissue, or may be extremelyrapid, to develop the fast-acting muscle activity important to certainactivities.

Other positions and utilizations of the device are possible according tothe targeted muscle group. Virtually every muscle group shown in FIGS.10 and 11 can be exercised and in particular contracted and expandedutilizing the present invention.

A user may be positioned entirely inside of the device, holding it atchest level, with the bow against the back and the elastic member at thefront, to push out against the elastic member in a bench press movement.

The bow member may be places on the ground with feet upon it, handsgripping the elastic rope, pulling up in an upward row movement, or in afront raise movement.

Lying on the ground, the bow may be placed under the legs, moving theleg up against the elastic member in a straight leg extension movement.

Sitting on a chair, the bow may be secured behind the rear legs, thelower leg moving out against the elastic member in a leg extensionmovement.

With the bow secured above the head, the elastic member may be pulled orpushed upon in a pull down or pushdown motion.

With the bow device secured between the legs, the elastic member may bestretched in a side lateral movement.

Sitting with the bow underneath the legs, the elastic member maybestretched in an overhead press motion.

Standing with the bow element under the feet, the elastic member may bestretched in a curl, reverse curl, or front raise movement.

With the bow secured under a bench, the elastic member may be stretchedin a pullover movement.

Many movements may be carried out by gripping or pushing against eitherthe bow element or the elastic member, depending on the position andcomfort of the user.

A device is presented which replaces the downward only force of gravityagainst weighted exercise devices with the resistive force of elasticmembers. The unique shape and structure of the device frees the userfrom connection to a fixed device, and from the limited range ofmovement of gravity-driven weights.

Virtually all muscle groups may be contracted against the force of theelastic bands, as the device may be positioned at and around the userlimited only by the user's own individual physiology. The flexibility inpositioning the achieved only through the disclosed closed loopstructure and lightweight ergonomic materials and shape.

Both the bow member 1 and various strength elastic members 2 contributeto the resistive force of the device which opposes the applied force ofthe user.

The device is extremely lightweight, and can be easily disassembled andtransported, by removing the elastic member 2 from the bow member 1.

The bow member may be constructed of several different materials,including metals and metal alloys, plastics, wood, carbon composites andcarbon fiber.

1. An exercise device, comprising: a flexible curved bow element, atleast one padded gripping element disposed near a center section of saidbow element, at least one elastic member connectable to and extendingbetween two endpoints of said bow member, and elastic member receivingelements disposed at each end of said bow element, wherein said elasticmember and said bow element act together to flex and thereby providevarying resistance to force and movement inputs of a user.
 2. Anexercise device according to claim 1, wherein said elastic memberreceiving elements are outward opening C-shaped elements, said elasticmember having ring elements at each end, said ring elements connectablewith said C-shaped elements to removably connect said elastic member tosaid bow member.
 3. An exercise device according to claim 3, furthercomprising a plurality of elastic members of varying elastic properties,which may be selectively attached to said bow member to provide variouselastic movement and resistance characteristics.